A total of 14 lodge and chapter secretaries who constitute the Warrington Group, recently congregated for their biannual gathering and dinner. This was the fifth secretaries’ dinner and on this occasion they were joined by Andy Barton, group chairman and Chris Gleave, group vice chairman following their appointments in May this year.

After an initial drink in the bar dinner was served. On these occasions the Masonic hall chef likes to take the opportunity to showcase a distinctive menu to demonstrate what is available. It is normally the secretary’s role to organise the meals for their members’ social boards, particularly if they wish to have something different or special. The menu for the evening was seafood and chive pancake, game pie with fondant potatoes and a medley of vegetables, followed by homemade individual strawberry and orange cheesecake with strawberry and orange coulis.

The purpose of the evening is to meet in a convivial atmosphere to dine and encourage free discussions between officers operating in similar situations, without an agenda and more importantly without anyone taking minutes. After the meal an open discussion was held which was facilitated by John McIntyre, group secretary, (he always has an agenda). As standard practice at these meetings at the moment the clock reached 9.15pm the meeting was declared closed. However, most of the brethren realised this was not the same as saying everyone went home at 9.15pm!